Ghanaian musician Dennis Nana Dwamena, popularly known as KiDi has opened up about his childhood, revealing that his father once kicked him out of the family home when he was just five or six years old because of his stubborn and mischievous behaviour.

The singer made the revelation during an interview with Kafui Dey, where he took listeners back to some of his earliest childhood memories.

According to KiDi, he was a particularly adventurous child and was known for getting into trouble at home and at school.

He recalled that whenever his parents bought him new shoes for school, he would often use them to play with stones, returning home with the shoes badly damaged.

“When they buy me shoes for school, I use the shoes to go and play with stones,” KiDi recounted.

He also described how unusually dirty his school uniform would become compared to those of other children.

According to him, his parents were often left wondering why he repeatedly came home in such a state.

KiDi recounted one particular incident that eventually became the last straw for his father.

He said that one day after school had closed, he was waiting with his teacher because his father had not yet arrived to pick him up.

The teacher reportedly asked him to go and get something from her table. However, KiDi said he did not hear the instruction properly and assumed that she had asked him to eat the waakye on the table.

Thinking that his father had delayed because he might have been hungry, the young KiDi went into the classroom and ate the waakye.

He said the incident led to reports being made to his father, although he chose not to go into all the details of what happened before they got home.

According to KiDi, his father was extremely upset and instructed his older sister to remove all the clothes he was wearing.

“Remove everything he’s wearing. He takes nothing away from this house. If he wants to be a notorious child, he should go and live somewhere else,” KiDi recalled his father saying.

He said he was eventually left wearing only his church shoes before being sent out of the house.

KiDi said he was around five or six years old at the time and recalled walking out of the house in tears.

The family was then living at Darkuman, he explained.

“I was crying, crying with my church shoe and nothing else,” he said.

However, while he was walking away, his father called him back and used the incident to teach him a lesson about obedience.

KiDi recalled his father telling him that if he continued to disobey instructions, he could eventually lose the people around him.

“You see how you are crying because you’re going to lose all of us next time. Next time when we tell you something, do it,” he recalled.

Interestingly, KiDi admitted that the punishment did not completely change his behaviour.

Asked whether the experience served as a lesson, he responded humorously that he “kept doing it” and continued to be a notorious child.

Beyond the humorous childhood stories, KiDi explained that his behaviour was largely driven by his adventurous nature and his desire to experience different things.

He said his parents sometimes had to feed him well before leaving the house because they knew he could be tempted to ask other people for food.

Looking back, KiDi said he now wonders where some of his childhood behaviour came from.

He believes, however, that his curiosity and willingness to explore different activities eventually became an important part of his personality.

The musician revealed that while in high school, he became involved in several activities, including football, athletics, basketball, drawing, music and Taekwondo.

He said he wanted to try virtually everything and experience as much as possible.

KiDi suggested that, in a different environment, his parents or teachers might have recognised his wide range of interests as signs of multiple talents rather than simply seeing him as a troublesome child.

He explained that his childhood desire to explore and participate in different activities eventually contributed to the versatility he developed later in life.

Country music legend Dolly Parton has been laid to rest in a private family ceremony in Nashville, Tennessee, three days after her death at the age of 80.

Parton was buried on Friday morning at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum, where she was laid to rest beside her late husband, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025. The couple were married for 58 years.

The intimate funeral was attended by members of Parton’s immediate family and was held in accordance with her family’s wishes.

The mausoleum already featured a bronze plaque bearing the names of Parton and Dean, along with an illustration of their beloved Tennessee home.

Although the funeral was private, arrangements have reportedly been made for fans to pay their respects at the burial site. Velvet ropes and guest books were placed around the mausoleum, allowing members of the public to leave messages and tributes.

Parton’s family has also encouraged fans to honour her memory by supporting her Imagination Library, the literacy initiative she founded to provide free books to children, instead of sending flowers.

According to her official obituary, admirers have also been encouraged to share their memories and tributes to the singer on social media.

Following the burial, Parton’s great-niece, Lainey Mae Parton, shared an emotional tribute to the country music icon, reflecting on their close relationship.

Lainey described Parton as a loving and supportive figure who always encouraged her dreams and made her feel capable of achieving her goals.

She wrote:

“From the time I was little, my granny always had a way of making me feel like I was enough. She never made my dreams feel too big or made me feel like I couldn’t do something.”

Lainey also recalled being invited to sing alongside Parton on her Smoky Mountain DNA project while she was still in high school.

She said her aunt’s encouragement helped her overcome her nerves and gave her the confidence to perform alongside the country music legend.

“She didn’t just tell me to chase my dreams; she helped me get there,” Lainey wrote.

She also expressed gratitude for the love and support Parton gave her throughout her life.

“I feel incredibly lucky that I got to call her my granny,” she said. “Thank you for always believing in me, loving me, and making me feel like I could do anything. I love you, Granny. Always.”

Lainey further revealed that because Parton did not have children of her own, she made members of her extended family feel as though they were her children.

“She loved us that way, and I’ll forever be grateful for that,” she wrote.

Tributes to Parton have continued across the United States following her death, with candlelight vigils held in several cities.

In Nashville, one of her nieces, Jada Star, performed at a tribute concert at the Grand Ole Opry House on Saturday.

Star performed The Orchard, a song she recorded with Parton in 2024 for the album Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables.

Ahead of the performance, Star said she was “walking around in a fog of sadness” but considered it an honour to perform in memory of her aunt.

Country superstar Jelly Roll also made a surprise appearance at the tribute concert’s finale, joining Carly Pearce and other performers for a group rendition of Parton’s iconic hit “9 to 5.”

Pearce has a personal connection to Parton, having previously performed at Parton’s Dollywood theme park before establishing herself as a Grammy-winning country singer.

Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum is one of Nashville’s most prominent cemeteries and is the final resting place of several major figures in country music.

Among those buried there are George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Eddy Arnold, Marty Robbins and Porter Wagoner, who played a significant role in Parton’s early career.

Parton worked with Wagoner before launching her successful solo career. She later wrote I Will Always Love You as a professional farewell to him when she left his show in 1973.

Parton died peacefully in Nashville on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80.

Her death was initially announced by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, through a video shared on social media. Her representative later confirmed that she had been battling cancer.

A statement from her representative said Parton had “bravely” faced a brief battle with cancer before dying at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, surrounded by loved ones.

Parton leaves behind a remarkable legacy that extends far beyond country music.

During a career spanning seven decades, she established herself as one of the world’s most successful singers, songwriters, actresses and businesswomen. She was also widely recognised for her philanthropy and commitment to education and literacy.

One of her most enduring achievements is the Imagination Library, which provides free books to young children.

The official obituary described Parton’s legacy as one of “love, kindness, and resilience”, highlighting her ability to inspire generations of artists and fans through her music and humanitarian work.

As tributes continue, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has announced plans to rename Nashville International Airport in honour of Parton.

The proposal is expected to further cement her connection to the city and state where she built much of her extraordinary career.

Meanwhile, Parton’s music continues to experience renewed interest following her death.

In the United Kingdom, her iconic song 9 to 5 is reportedly on course to reach number one on the singles chart after a surge in streams from fans paying tribute to the late music legend.

Dolly Parton’s private burial has now concluded, but tributes from her family, fellow musicians and millions of fans continue to celebrate the extraordinary life and legacy of one of country music’s most recognisable and beloved figures.

Source: BBC

Entertainment analyst and artiste manager Lawrence Asiamah Hanson, widely known as Bulldog, has commended dancehall star Stonebwoy for his consistent efforts to promote Ghanaian music and culture beyond the country’s borders.

Bulldog believes Stonebwoy has made an exceptional contribution to the global growth of Ghana’s music industry, describing his international push as one of the strongest efforts by a Ghanaian artiste in recent years.

Speaking in an interview shared on social media, Bulldog compared Stonebwoy’s international influence to the pioneering work of the legendary Ghanaian music group Osibisa, which helped introduce Ghanaian music to audiences around the world.

He particularly pointed to Stonebwoy’s recent performance at the OVO Arena Wembley in London as an important achievement, not only for the artiste but also for Ghanaian music.

According to Bulldog, the importance of the concert should not be measured solely by the number of people who attended. He argued that simply having the ambition to secure a major international venue, assemble a professional team and successfully stage a large-scale production deserves recognition.

“Since the inception of Ghanaian music, no artist has worked harder than Stonebwoy in promoting and pushing the Ghanaian brand. You see what Stonebwoy did in the UK; very few artistes have done so. Stonebwoy had a show at OVO Wembley Arena. Even if no one came, I would salute him,” he stated.

Bulldog further praised Stonebwoy for taking the risk of booking such a prestigious venue and travelling with a full production team to deliver the concert.

He said the decision reflected the artiste’s ambition, confidence and leadership, qualities he considers essential for Ghanaian musicians seeking to establish the country’s music on new international platforms.

However, Bulldog stressed that his praise for Stonebwoy should not be interpreted as a dismissal of the achievements of other Ghanaian musicians.

Addressing comparisons between Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale, he said both artistes have made valuable contributions to Ghana’s music industry and should be judged based on their respective achievements.

“I will not diminish Shatta Wale’s impact; if I do, I would diminish my own impact… But this is not about Shatta. His mandate was to host a show at that arena to prove that he could do it,” he said.

Bulldog maintained that Stonebwoy’s OVO Arena Wembley concert represents a major milestone in the artiste’s career and further demonstrates his commitment to strengthening the global image of Ghanaian music.

Ras Caleb Appiah-Levi has called on Ghanaians, particularly the youth, to pursue wisdom rather than focusing solely on money, fame, power and social connections.

In a thought-provoking reflection titled “Fools Die for Want of Wisdom,” Ras Caleb referenced the biblical teaching in Proverbs 10:21, arguing that the statement is not a curse but a principle that reflects the consequences of rejecting wisdom and good counsel.

According to him, the consequences of foolishness extend beyond physical death and can also result in the collapse of businesses, marriages, talents, visions and even nations.

“Every day in Ghana, in Africa, in the world — fools are dying. Not only the death of the body, but the death of vision, the death of business, the death of marriage, the death of talent, the death of a nation.”

Ras Caleb stressed that foolishness should not be equated with a lack of education or financial resources.

He noted that academic qualifications and wealth do not automatically make a person wise, arguing that some highly educated and wealthy individuals can still make destructive decisions because they fail to apply wisdom.

“A fool is not a man who lacks a certificate. I have seen PhD holders who are fools. A fool is not a man who lacks money. I have seen rich men who are fools,” he stated.

He described a fool as someone who despises wisdom, rejects correction, ignores counsel and knowingly chooses falsehood because it is more convenient or pleasurable.

Ras Caleb further distinguished intelligence from wisdom, saying:

“Wisdom is not intelligence. Wisdom is application.”

He explained that while an intelligent person may know how to make money, a wise person understands how to preserve, multiply and use money responsibly.

Similarly, he said an intelligent person may know how to speak, but a wise person understands when silence is more appropriate.

Why fools die

Ras Caleb identified several behaviours that, in his view, lead people toward failure and destruction.

 They hate correction

He argued that wise people are willing to accept correction, while fools often become hostile when their mistakes are pointed out.

According to him, a wise person can be told that they are wrong and respond with gratitude, whereas a fool may respond with insults, blocking, confrontation or rejection.

He applied this observation to politics and the entertainment industry, arguing that political leaders who ignore the concerns of young people and musicians who refuse advice from their managers can eventually suffer the consequences of their decisions.

He warned that individuals who surround themselves exclusively with people who praise them deprive themselves of the opportunity to receive honest criticism.

They want everything quickly

Ras Caleb also criticised what he described as the desire for instant wealth, fame and gratification.

He said wisdom requires patience, while foolishness often manifests itself through impatience and the pursuit of shortcuts.

He cited fraud, the pursuit of fame at the expense of dignity and interference in other people’s relationships as examples of decisions people may make in their quest for quick rewards.

“What comes quick, goes quick,” he stated.

Using farming as an illustration, he said a wise person understands that crops require time to grow, while a foolish person expects to plant cassava and harvest it on the same day.

 They talk too much

The third behaviour he highlighted was excessive talking.

Ras Caleb warned that some people destroy themselves by failing to control what they say, particularly when discussing confidential matters, personal relationships, plans and the people who have supported them.

He referenced the biblical teaching that even a fool can appear wise when he remains silent, arguing that an inability to control one’s speech can eventually become destructive.

Ras Caleb said the current generation has unprecedented access to information but continues to struggle with applying knowledge responsibly.

He observed that people now have access to data, Google, religious leaders and teachers, yet knowledge alone has not necessarily translated into wisdom.

“We have information but no wisdom. We have data but no depth. We have Google but no guidance.”

He argued that the major problem is not necessarily a lack of knowledge, but the failure to apply what people already know.

Ras Caleb outlined several qualities he believes demonstrate genuine wisdom.

According to him, wisdom means:

Fearing God and departing from evil.

Accepting that one does not know everything.

Listening more and speaking less.

Saving and planning instead of spending recklessly.

Forgiving rather than constantly seeking revenge.

Building for future generations rather than living only for oneself.

To illustrate the importance of thinking beyond one’s immediate circumstances, Ras Caleb cited Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah, and the construction of the Akosombo Dam.

He argued that Nkrumah’s decision to invest in infrastructure that would benefit generations demonstrates the importance of long-term thinking.

“Kwame Nkrumah had wisdom. That is why he built Akosombo for generations he would never see,” he said, contrasting this with what he described as the foolish tendency to consume everything for immediate gratification.

Ras Caleb concluded his reflection with a direct appeal to young Africans to make wisdom a priority.

He urged young people not to pursue only money, connections, followers, beauty or power, warning that these things can become destructive when they are not accompanied by wisdom.

He argued that money without wisdom can be lost, beauty without wisdom can be abused, power without wisdom can be misused, and religious anointing without wisdom can result in scandal.

According to him, wisdom, on the other hand, can preserve, promote and give direction to a person’s life.

He ended with a call for people to learn from the wisdom available around them rather than allowing pride, impatience and rejection of correction to destroy their potential.

“The fool dies. But the wise lives and his works follow him.”

Member of Parliament for Amenfi Central and entrepreneur Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe has officially ended her seven-year professional and contractual relationship with Ghanaian music duo Keche Global.

The announcement, issued by GEM Multimedia Ghana Ltd, stated that the relationship, which began in 2019, came to an end following the expiration of the agreement, with Joana Gyan Cudjoe deciding not to renew or continue the professional arrangement.

According to the statement, Keche Global is no longer under the management, representation, investment or business operations of Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe or GEM Multimedia Ghana Ltd.

The company stressed that the decision is strictly professional and should not be interpreted as the result of a dispute.

“There is no fight, hatred, bitterness or controversy. It is simply the closing of one professional chapter and the beginning of new chapters for everyone,” the statement said.

From 2019 to 2026, Joana Gyan Cudjoe served as Executive Producer and sole investor supporting Keche’s development and music career.

Her support reportedly covered music recording and production, music videos, marketing and promotion, artist development, branding, photography, creative content, travel, international activities, performances, media promotion, career development and management.

GEM Multimedia said her involvement went beyond financial investment and included vision, leadership, executive production, business relationships and personal commitment to the duo’s career.

The statement said she travelled with the group, supported its activities and invested in the duo because she believed in their talent and wanted to help take their music from Ghana to the wider African and international market.

During the seven years, Keche released several songs, collaborations, music videos and other creative projects.

Among the works listed in the statement are:

Odo — 2019

Today— 2019

Same Girl featuring Akwaboah — 2020

No Dulling featuring Kuami Eugene — 2020

Good Mood featuring Fameye — 2020

Faya featuring Epixode — 2021

Life — 2022

Something Must Happen — 2022

Party of the Year featuring Mr Drew — 2023

Kiss — 2024

Papapa featuring Lasmid — 2025

Maame — 2025

Enjoy Life — 2025

The company said these represent only some of the creative works associated with the group’s journey during the period.

Joana Gyan Cudjoe also expressed appreciation to the artists, producers, songwriters, musicians, directors, engineers, managers, media professionals and other creatives who contributed to Keche’s development.

The statement further disclosed that during Joana Gyan Cudjoe’s involvement with the group, she changed the group’s name from Keche to Keche Global as part of her vision to position the duo for a wider African and international audience.

The name Keche Global has since become the group’s identity.

Despite ending her professional association with the duo, Joana said she was happy to see the name continue and wished the group success in its future endeavours.

GEM Multimedia was particularly clear that the announcement does not signal the end of Joana Gyan Cudjoe’s personal or family relationship with Keche Andrew.

Keche Global comprises Andrew Kofi Cudjoe, known as Keche Andrew, and Joshua Kojo Ampah, known as Keche Joshua.

Andrew Kofi Cudjoe is also Joana Gyan Cudjoe’s husband.

The statement explained that the decision concerns only their professional and business relationship.

“This announcement is not about ending their marriage, family or personal relationship,” the statement said.

Joana said she remains proud of Andrew, Joshua and everything they have achieved together as Keche.

Going forward, Keche Global will operate independently and will no longer receive management, financing, investment, promotion or executive production support from Joana Gyan Cudjoe or GEM Multimedia Ghana Ltd.

The group will be free to select its own management team, investors, business partners, record companies, promoters, producers and other professional partners.

Similarly, Joana Gyan Cudjoe said she would now be free to concentrate on her own businesses, investments, music projects, artists and new opportunities.

She urged the public not to take sides or create controversy around the decision.

According to the statement, the separation is intended to allow both sides to pursue their respective paths peacefully.

Looking back on the seven-year partnership, Joana Gyan Cudjoe said the experience provided valuable lessons in music, entertainment, management, production, marketing, promotion, international business, creative industries and partnerships.

She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with the duo and said she preferred to remember the positive experiences from the partnership.

The statement emphasised three principles guiding her approach to the separation: gratitude, peace and respect.

Although Joana Gyan Cudjoe will no longer have a professional connection with Keche Global, she has encouraged fans in Ghana, Africa and around the world to continue supporting the duo.

Fans have been encouraged to stream Keche’s music, watch their music videos, follow their social media platforms, subscribe to their music channels, share their songs, attend their performances and support future projects.

GEM Multimedia stressed that the end of the business relationship should not be interpreted as a call for the public to withdraw its support from Keche Global.

The statement also addressed potential questions surrounding songs, recordings and other creative works produced during the partnership.

Joana said she did not want the announcement to trigger unnecessary disputes over music or creative rights.

Where rights, interests or ownership arrangements are affected, the company said they would be handled professionally in accordance with the applicable agreements and the law.

The statement added that Joana’s intention was not to create unnecessary obstacles for Keche Global but to allow the duo to continue making music and developing their careers.

With the professional partnership now concluded, Joana Gyan Cudjoe said she would redirect her energy, experience and resources toward new talent, new music, new stars, new businesses, investments and other opportunities.

Through GEM Multimedia Ghana Ltd, she said she intends to focus on discovering, developing, producing and promoting the next generation of African musical talent.

Her stated vision is to identify and develop talent capable of moving from Ghana to Africa and eventually the global market.

Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe is the Member of Parliament for Amenfi Central, as well as an entrepreneur, businesswoman, investor, founder and Executive Producer.

She is associated with:

GEM Multimedia Ghana Ltd — Music, entertainment and multimedia

Golden Empire Legacy Ltd — Mining, gold and investment

Joana Gyan Foundation — Community development, education, youth and social impact

Her activities span public service, business, investment, music, entertainment, community development and youth opportunities.

In its closing message, GEM Multimedia Ghana Ltd thanked Keche Andrew and Keche Joshua for the years of collaboration, music, experiences, memories and lessons.

Joana Gyan Cudjoe wished both members of Keche Global peace, happiness and greater success in their future endeavours.

The statement reiterated that while the business relationship and professional partnership have ended, the personal respect, love and family bond remain.

Joana also made clear that she does not want the development to become a source of anger, blame or controversy.

The message from GEM Multimedia is therefore that both parties should move forward independently while maintaining mutual respect.

The seven-year professional chapter has closed, with Joana Gyan Cudjoe now turning her attention to new talent, new music, new investments and new opportunities in Ghana’s creative industry.